enameled aluminum shell, machine turned instrument panel, Dunlop rubber tires, leather seat and straps, electric motor
Cable actuated 4 wheel drum brakes, tires are pneumatic Dunlop
The dashboard has an electric meter, with a brake lever on the exterior, to the right of the seat, and an enameled "Bugatti" plaque on the front
Originally designed with a combustion engine for his son Roland, as a half-scale toy modelled closely on the Grand Prix types 35 and 51, Ettore Bugatti decided to put the 'Baby' into production at Bugatti's Molsheim, France factory following the success it met with on the Bugatti stand at the 1927 Milan Automobile Salon.
Given a works serial type number '52' and primarily known and marketed as 'Baby', 500 numbered units were produced between 1927 and 1935 with an electric motor for children between 6-8 years old. The original model was based on a 47-inch wheelbase, later examples were extended to 53 inches to accommodate larger children.
Because the chassis number is 152, it's likely made in 1927, as number 319 was made in 1929
The Baby 52 was manufactured with a remarkable attention to detail. Featuring a 12-volt electric motor that allowed the model to reach a speed of 12 mph, it could be driven in forward or reverse, had alloy wheels and pneumatic tires, an aluminum body and even a spare tire strapped to the side.
Bugatti was obviously conscientious about the brakes when it came to younger drivers as the Baby has four drum brakes with expanding wooden shoes, cable-operated using a hand lever located on the right side, outside the vehicle.
The Baby was an immediate success despite its considerable price of 5,000 francs.
The Baby was an immediate success despite its considerable price of 5,000 francs.
Ettore would sometimes give one away as a thank you for a large order. Thus, Bugatti's more important, wealthier clients, such as some royal families, the Prince of Morocco in 1929 and Baudouin, the future king of Belgium in 1932.
Baby Grand Prix races were held throughout France, with the winners receiving the traditional floral bouquet.
Giovanni Agnelli, later president of Fiat, had his first driving experience behind the wheel of a Type 52.
https://www.christies.com/en/lot/lot-6007498 Sold for 75k USD in 2016, 82k in 2024 https://www.christies.com/en/lot/lot-6517524
https://www.christies.com/lot/lot-bugatti-baby-52-vers-1930-5888810/? sold for 167k in 2015
The motor is an electric PARIS-RHÔNE, powered by a modern 12-volt battery. The dashboard is equipped with a meter and a reverse/stop/forward switch. Acceleration is controlled by a pedal that operates a 6-position rheostat. Power is delivered to the rear wheels via a reduction gear.
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